Gardaí at Mountjoy Garda Station are investigating a serious assault that occurred in the early hours of Saturday 17th August at Courtney Place, Dublin 1.
The victim, seventy three year old Paddy Hansard and his partner June were out socialising in their local pub, the Clonliffe House on that Friday evening. Paddy & June enjoyed a few drinks whilst listening to music. When the pub closed they left for the short walk to their home. As Paddy approached his flat he was assaulted and received serious head injuries. June initially attended to him assisted by neighbours before he was taken by ambulance to hospital for treatment, where he remains seriously ill today.
Gardaí believe the suspect was wearing a mask and used a shovel or spade to assault Paddy.
Appeal:
- This incident has had a big impact upon the local Ballybough Community. Paddy is a very popular and well known member of the community. This attack has had a terrible effect upon his large and extended family. Paddy is still in a very serious condition and we are all unsure as to how things are going to work out in the medium to long term.
- This is a matter that has been treated with the utmost seriousness from the outset. An Incident Room was set up on the day of the assault and we have a large number of detectives and support staff working tirelessly to try and establish who did this to Paddy.
- We would like to take this opportunity to thank the community for their support in this matter – their cooperation has played a big part in the progress we have made regarding some of the investigative avenues we have been pursuing. However, we do believe there is more information out there and we are asking the people with that information, no matter how insignificant they think it might be, to come forward. We will treat any person coming forward with the utmost sensitivity.
- We would particularly appeal to people who may have information regarding the person responsible for the assault, the Mask we have featured, or indeed the weapon that was used to assault Paddy - to get in touch.
Mountjoy Garda Station on 01 666 8600
Gardaí at Blanchardstown Garda Station are investigating an attempted murder that occurred on Saturday 1st June 2019 at approximately 5.15pm
The victim was walking along Blakestown way, when a Toyota Avensis pulled in alongside him on the roadway. A masked man armed with a firearm got out of the front passenger seat and ran behind the victim and shot him once. The victim staggered but managed to run into a nearby supermarket. The man with the gun followed but fled back to the waiting car and travelled at speed along Blakestown way, before turning right at the junction of Blakestown way and road, towards Mulhuddart village and continued onto service station close to the N3.
The car was later discovered burnt out at Millers Glen in Swords, Co. Dublin
Gardaí know that the car used in the incident, a navy Toyota Avensis, registration number 06MH1811, was purchased in Clondalkin on Monday 27th May 2019. An extensive investigation followed during which Gardaí established that the car was in the Bramblefield estate on Friday 31st May 2019 at approximately 2.30pm.
On the day of the incident, the car was in the Blanchardstown area for some time prior to the shooting.
Appeal:
- Gardaí know that there were two people in the Toyota Avensis on the 1st June, an EVOFIT of the driver of this car was compiled. CCTV captured the incident including the man with the gun and Gardaí are asking the public to consider these images and provide any information they have as to their identities and come forward with the information.
- CCTV & an EVOFIT was compiled of the buyer of the Toyota Avensis car. Gardaí are asking the public to come forward with any information they may have as to the identity of this man.
- The car was purchased on Monday the 27th May, Gardaí want to know where this car was between this date and the day of the shooting, on the 1st June.
- Gardaí are appealing to anyone with information in relation to this case to come forward.
Blanchardstown Garda Station on 01 666 700
Gardaí at Wicklow Garda Station are investigating an assault that occurred on 15th July 2019 in Avondale Forest Park, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow.
The victim was out jogging at approximately 3.10pm when she observed a man walking towards her with his head down. She ran past and the man put his hand on her shoulder, grabbed her by the wrist while trying to drag her from the pathway towards the bushes.
A detailed EVOFIT was compiled of the suspect, who is described as being five foot eight to five foot nine inches, (175cms), in height, of thin build.
He had short very black hair and black eyebrows. His face was greyish in colour, i.e. he was not tanned. He had bad teeth and there were big gaps between his teeth.
The words he used made it appear that he might be of eastern European origin.
He was wearing a long sleeve cheque shirt.
Wicklow Garda Station on 0404 60140
Gardaí at Carlow Garda Station are investigating a number of burglaries that occurred in the Pollerton area of Carlow between Friday 30th August to Sunday 1st September 2019.
The suspect called to a number of homes in the area purporting to be selling blankets, a number of homes were broken into and had several items of property stolen.
A detailed EVOFIT was compiled of the suspect who is described as in his early twenties with brown hair wearing dark clothing and spoke with a local accent.
Carlow Garda station on 059 913 6620
Gardaí at Crumlin Garda Station are investigating a robbery incident that occurred on Tuesday 15th January 2019 at approximately 7pm.
The victim was working in a house in the Hillsbrook area of Crumlin and answered a knock on the front door, the suspect purported to be looking for work in the area. As the victim turned to go back in to the house, he was struck from behind several times by the suspect who stole a sum of money from the victim’s wallet. The victim received a number of injuries and received medical attention in hospital.
The suspect is described as being a polish national, 23-30 years old, approximately 175cm, (5’8’’) in height of average build with dark brown short hair.
Crumlin Garda station on 01 666 6200
Gardaí at Kilmainham Garda Station are investigating a Hit & Run Serious Injury Traffic Collision that occurred on Conyngham Road, Dublin 8 in the early hours of Sunday 5th May 2019.
They are appealing for witnesses following the collision, involving a pedal cyclist and a vehicle. The collision occurred at approximately 2.00am on Parkgate Street outbound towards Conyngham Road. The driver failed to remain at the scene and continued in the direction of Islandbridge.
A 28 year-old man was taken by ambulance to the Mater Hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.
CCTV of the collision shows a dark coloured car connect with the cyclist, this car left the scene and had damage to the passenger side.
Appeal:
- Investigating Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to contact them.
- Anyone who travelled along Conyngham Road on the 5th May 2019 between 1.50am and 2.20am.
- Anyone with dashcam footage and who travelled along this route or along the South Quays between 1.50am and 2.20am.
- Anyone who noticed a black coloured vehicle with damage to the passenger side.
Kilmainham Garda Station on 01 666 9700
Gardaí at Navan Garda Station are investigating the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of twenty four old Elizabeth Clarke who has not been seen since November 2013.
Elizabeth, a mother of two lived in Navan, Co. Meath. She had previously lived in both Portrane and Bettystown, Co. Meath with her family.
Elizabeth was officially reported missing by her family in January 2015 and a full investigation into her disappearance was launched.
Gardaí carried out a number of extensive searches in the Navan area, including house to house enquiries, land searches, canal and river searches assisted by the Garda Water Unit and Meath River Rescue.
There have been no sightings of Elizabeth in over six years & no activity on bank accounts or social media accounts. Her family and An Garda Síochána are extremely concerned for her safety and wellbeing.
The Crimecall team travelled to Navan and interviewed Elizabeth’s family who make an emotional appeal for information.
Appeal:
- This is an open and complex investigation, Gardaí at Navan are continuing to investigate all the circumstances surrounding Elizabeth’s disappearance. However at this stage they do not know what happened to her and are hoping the public & the Navan community can assist the investigation.
- Gardaí are appealing to anyone with information in relation Elizabeth’s disappearance, regardless of how insignificant they think it is, to please present the information to AGS and they will assess it.
- Given the time frame of this investigation, Gardaí are asking the public to provide any information they may have, if they engaged with Elizabeth in 2013 and or for some reason, held back on information they may have had, to come forward now. AGS wish to reassure them that they will be treated sensitively.
Navan Garda Station on 046 9036100
Gardaí at Dundalk Garda Station are investigating the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of thirty three year old Mark Smyth who has not been seen since May 2018.
Mark grew up and lived in Ardee, he was last seen here by his family but would have frequented Dundalk & Drogheda areas.
Mark is described as being five foot six inches in height with short grey hair with black/grey stubble, when last seen he was wearing knee length shorts and a white t-shirt and was in possession of Raleigh Ace Shimona 600 racing bicycle.
Dundalk Garda Station on 042 9388 400
Gardaí at Wexford are continuing to investigating the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Michael Farrell, a 30 year old married father of three from Donaghmeade in Dublin, who has not been seen since September 1994.
He was employed on contract with B&I Ferries and on the night of 19/09/94 he disappeared as he was working as a film projectionist on the crossing from Rosslare to Pembroke. He ran the first film as scheduled at 8.30pm, but failed to show up for the second film at 10.30pm.
At around the same time, a passenger from whom Michael had borrowed a newspaper earlier in the evening, went to the crew office asking for him in order to have the newspaper returned. Initial searches by his colleagues failed to locate Michael so the captain ordered a full search of the ship. The boat arrived in Pembroke at 00.30 and cars were searched as they disembarked but there was no sign of Michael. The Welsh Coastguard was notified and a search was conducted but there was no trace. A search of the ship revealed Michael’s washbag and belongings were still in his cabin along with his denim jacket.
Michael was last seen walking on board with a colleague at around 10.30pm, (i.e.) the time when he should have been starting the second film. Colleagues who saw him said he was in good form that evening.
Michael’s sister Mary was in studio to make the appeal.
Appeal:
- A number of searches were carried out by the crew on board the vessel but these proved negative.
- The vessel arrived at Pembroke Dock at 11.30am on 20th September 1994 and a further search was conducted which again proved negative
- The Welsh Coastguard were notified along with An Garda Síochána at Wexford Garda Station.
- A full search operation was initiated with the assistance of a lifeboat crew from Milford Haven, Air and Sea Rescue from RAF North Devon and the Irish Marine Services.
- A search of Michael Farrell’s cabin revealed all his belongings were present
- An Interpol Black notice has been created in respect of Michael Farrell and a DNA sample from his family member has been included in the data base
- The Gardaí are appealing to anyone with information of the whereabouts of Michael Farrell to contact them
- Its 25 years since Michael disappeared and his family continue to suffer wonder what happened to their son, husband and father. If anyone has any information even if they think it is of no importance, please contact us and we will speak to you in confidence
- If anyone watching was on board the vessel on the 19th September 1994 and recalls the incident Gardaí would also like to speak with you.
Wexford Garda Station on 053 916 5200
On this month’s Crimecall Garda Cloughley was in studio to discuss Project EDWARD, or “European Day Without a Road Death” which will take place on Thursday 26th September. It is led out by TISPOL, who represent Traffic/ Roads Policing forces all across Europe.
This is a very important, European wide, safety initiative to raise awareness and reduce the number of road casualties. On average, 70 people die each day on Europe’s roads.
The aim is to spread simple messages for all road users and to encourage them to play their part in working towards zero road deaths. This is the fourth year of Project EDWARD and this year’s theme is:-
However we use the roads, we are all more vulnerable than we think we are.
To coincide with the day itself, a symposium will be taking place in Dublin, with an hour-long interactive seminar live-streamed on social media starting at 11.30 Dublin time (1230 CET).
For more details, and show support, see www.projectedward.eu/
Garda Cloughley also reviewed the summer months in terms of statistics, trends and fatalities - see statistics here.